Monday, January 7, 2013

So here it is - the beginning of 2013. I really feel like this year is going to be full of new and exciting experiences for us. Since it's been awhile since my last post, let me fill you in on some of 2012.

First, it got busy! Super busy - really quickly. We lost a member of our department at work just as we picked up some additional workload midyear. So, there were two of us and two finishing graduate students. We had to drop a few lower enrollment classes, I had to pick up a few that I hadn't planned to teach and then move forward. That we did and I even managed to get one submission for my favorite conference of the year - ALE and it was accepted. So, I traveled to Key West in the summer to talk about my team leadership course and learn about what some other leadership educators are doing! It was great!

Second, we bought a boat. I know this sounds like strange reasoning, but our house had been on the market nearly a year with no offers and we were so tired of waiting for it to sell to have some fun (we have been wanting to buy a boat for awhile but have been waiting to move). So, we found a great deal on a new boat that was already on a lot and did some comparing of brands and prices and finally bought it the day we sold our old boat! Needless to say, most of the remaining summer weekends and afternoons were spent on the lake. It has proved its worth. I was wondering if I would think so during the winter while we were making boat payments and not even getting to see it because it's put up and winterized. It is still worth it! The thought of having more fun with our families this summer and getting the boat back out when it warms up makes the winter payments worth it :)

Third, my job was renewed and I was hired again for the 2012-2013 school year. I picked up additional courses and responsibilities. I also started classes in a doctoral program which is going to take the rest of my life to complete, but I am hanging in there. Each semester I have 9 hours and I had the opportunity to take on advising Collegiate FFA which has been more work but has also been totally worth it. They attended National FFA Convention and made student contacts totaling over 500 and gathered over 100 addresses for information and made many professional contacts as well. I would say it was well worth the time and money spent!

Next, we finally joined a new church in Knoxville. We love, love our church family. We had avoided joining Wallace because it is such a BIG church and I am so used to a SUPER SMALL church. So, it was intimidating until we met our Connect Group leaders - Carter and Charlotte and our Circle of Friends class. They really make being a part of a huge church feel more like family. We have felt so welcomed and included since the first day of class. We have even been white water rafting, to cookouts and I have even started teaching in the preK class - and I LOVE those babies :)

Finally, basketball has kept us busy! Since I was only part time in the summer I spent a lot of time traveling with Chris and his basketball team to camps. I hope I will always have time to do that, but I know once my position is more permanent and we have a family that won't be likely. So, I like to take advantage of my opportunities while I have them. Our basketball season is going good so far. We really get busy in the new year with more conference play and then tournament time. I really think Chris has such a great staff, GREAT kids, and awesome parents! I am so happy God put us in Jefferson County to coach (I always say US, like I coach too???).

I don't make resolutions, but I am going to make sure and find some personal time to blog this year - and drink water, and save more money, and get an elliptical (and use it).

I hope you had a fabulous 2012 and look forward to an even more blessed new year!

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About Me

I am a lecturer at the University of Tennessee. My husband is a basketball coach and played college basketball. We got married on a farm because I love agriculture! We love our "child" a puppy named Lola Jane. And we're always running around crazy trying to get everything accomplished.